---
title: "Low activation tungsten carbide for in-vessel applications"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-059dab"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059dab"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059dab.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059dab.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UK INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS LTD"
published: "2025-09-18"
---

# Low activation tungsten carbide for in-vessel applications

Buyer: UK INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS LTD  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-059dab

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## Summary

The procurement process currently in the planning stage is led by UK Industrial Solutions Ltd, a central government public authority located at Culham Science Centre, Abingdon. Titled "Low activation tungsten carbide for in-vessel applications," this tender focuses on the acquisition of approximately 5 kg each of multiple grades of low-activation tungsten carbide to support phase two of the STEP programme running from 2025 to 2030. The submission deadline for this preliminary market engagement is set for 15:00 on 8th October 2025. This project falls under the industry category of metal ores and alloys and will be implemented in the United Kingdom, with an estimated contract period from 30th November 2025 to 31st March 2026. The gross procurement value is estimated at £240,000.

This tender opens opportunities for businesses specialised in the manufacturing and supply of metal ores and alloys, especially those with expertise in producing low-activation tungsten carbide. By participating in this preliminary engagement, businesses have the chance to influence the tender requirements and showcase their capabilities, possibly leading to partnerships or subcontracting opportunities with UKIFS. Suppliers that can offer materials within the specified thresholds and propose the most promising grades suitable for testing and irradiation are well-positioned to benefit from this opportunity. Companies looking to expand their market presence in government-led engineering and scientific projects may particularly find this tender advantageous for growth and collaboration.

## Notice

The current MEN aims to gather information on relevant interested organisations (and their capabilities and expertise) that would be interested in contributing to the delivery of the second phase of the STEP programme (2025-2030) on an aspect related to low-activation WC for in-vessel applications. UKIFS is planning to procure small quantities (~5 kg) each of multiple grades of low-activation WC within required property thresholds detailed in the material specification below. Three of the most promising grades proposed by suppliers, that are within the specification thresholds, will be procured following a tender process. These grades will be characterised, tested and irradiated to determine their suitability for STEP in-vessel applications. UKIFS will lead the delivery of this testing campaign over the next 4 years through collaboration and/or subcontracting, leading to a decision on a baseline grade of low-activation WC For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Metal-ores-and-alloys./E758V33CB7 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E758V33CB7

### Planning Information

All submission mut be submitted by 15:00 on the 8th of October though the Delta tender platform.
Suppliers responding to this PME will have the opportunity to contribute insights that may shape the final tender requirements. All answers and correspondence will be used for market sounding purposes only and will be treated confidentially.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057911-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 8 Oct 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £200,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS LTD |
| Locality | ABINGDON |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode | OX14 3DB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |
| Local authority | South Oxfordshire |
| Electoral ward | Sandford & the Wittenhams |
| Westminster constituency | Didcot and Wantage |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 14 - Mining, basic metals and related products

### Codes

- 14600000 - Metal ores and alloys
- 14620000 - Alloys

## Release History

- 18 Sep 2025 at 18:05 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057911-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057911-2025
  18th September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E758V33CB7
- https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Metal-ores-and-alloys./E758V33CB7
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059dab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059dab.json.